With all the holiday parties over and done with, it’s back to business as usual for local pubs. Austin’s Ale House in Kew Gardens, however, wants to keep the party going all year long.

Austin’s hosted its first-ever “Three-Quarters to St. Patrick’s Day” party last Wednesday. The modest-sized room was packed with green-clad bar-goers.

“St. Patty’s Day is a very big pub holiday,” said Colleen LaRusso, a manager at Austin’s. “All the holidays are over, but this gives everyone something to look forward to, something to pick everyone’s spirits up,”

The original plan was to host a party at the halfway mark, but there wasn’t enough time to get the word out so the event was pushed back several months. Depending on customer feedback, LaRusso said, Austin’s may have a St. Patrick’s Day-themed party at every quarter.

Austin’s took the opportunity to promote its new rollback menu prices and weekly Blue Collar Nights, when customers can get three hours of unlimited bottled beer and well drinks for just $20.

“Everybody’s being hit in the pocket,” said LaRusso. “The rollback prices are kind of our way of helping out the people who come in and support us all year long.”

Bar-goers also enjoyed Irish ales Guinness, Harp, and Smithwick’s for $3.17 a pint, while members of the FDNY’s Pipes & Drums Band played traditional Irish tunes.

Despite the frequent special events the bar hosts, regulars will tell you that what keeps them coming back is the strong sense of community that exists within Austin’s walls.

“It’s a local watering hole. You’re guaranteed to run into a bunch of people you know,” said Alex Kondur, a bank financial advisor who lives two blocks away. “It’s like Cheers, where everybody knows your name.”

Austin’s Ale House is located at 82-70 Austin Street. Call (718) 849-3939 or visit their